LINK-ages consists of school and community people committed to expanding intergenerational activities in the DeForest area since 1992. Its mission is to develop and support programs and activities in the schools and community that mutually benefit students, families, and older adults.
Meetings are held monthly during the school year.
LINK-ages Committee
Current Active Members:
Judy French, Community Volunteer
Karen Laufenberg, Community Volunteer
Richard Wildermuth, Community Volunteer
Cheryl Ksobiech, DeForest Area Senior/Community Center
Karen Laufenberg, Community Volunteer
Christa Tollefson, Adult Services Coordinator, DeForest Area Public Library
Debbie Brewster, Coordinator of School/Community Relations, DASD
Katie Carter, First Grade Teacher, YES
Laura Kruschek,Seventh Grade English/Language Arts Teacher, DAMS
Laura Mikkelson, RSVP
High School National Honor Society Student Representative(s)
The committee also works closely with RSVP of Dane County.
Mission:
To develop intergenerational programs of mutual benefit in meeting the needs of students, families, and older persons in the DeForest Area community.
Long-Range Goals:
- To support the school district in strengthening its community collaboration efforts.
- To expand opportunities for mutually beneficial interaction between youth and older persons.
- To promote one-to-one relationships between students and older persons.
- To support development of activities which promote lifelong learning.
- To increase understanding of the aging process.
Sampling of LINK-ages Committee Activities
THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING FOR DONATIONS IN 2017-18:
- Richard Wildermuth donated $25.
- Rodeside Grill (Pete Beeber) donated egg casseroles for January breakfast.
Sampling of Programs, past and present
THE ANNUAL BINGO PARTY is held in March at the DeForest Area Community/Senior Center. With help from high school student council members who have worked behind the scenes to fund and collect over a hundred prizes, the event draws an enthusiastic crowd.
DOCUMENTARY pairs 7th grade students with older adults. Students interview their partners, publish biographies, and create electronic presentations.
THE ANNUAL BREAKFAST FOR OLDER ADULTS is held at the DeForest Area Senior/Community Center on a Saturday in January. LINK-ages Committee and High School NHS students serve food. High school musicians perform.
THE COMMUNITY READING PROGRAM brings families, students, and the community together to celebrate reading.
THE DEFOREST AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY offers intergenerational programming. This includes family programming such as Concerts in the Park, along with senior outreach special events. Library programs and ongoing interest groups are open to everyone in the community.
GRANDPARENTS’ DAY LUNCH, an annual event in April and May, brings hundreds of grandparents and older adults into the schools, district-wide, to enjoy lunch and special programs.
HIGH SCHOOL PLAY/MUSICAL PERFORMANCE RECEPTIONS are hosted two play or musical performances each year.
COMPUTER BUDDIES write to each other throughout the school year via e-mail and meet at an end-of-year social event. The program pairs older adults with children in a classroom.
TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT at DeForest Area High School brings hundreds of youngsters to the building to enjoy treats and entertainment provided by high school organizations with scores of volunteers.
CARDS & GAMES PARTY at the DeForest Area Community/Senior Center, held in the fall. High school NHS members play games with older adults. Includes door prizes and refreshments.
Inter-generational Project Statistics, 2016-2017
| Older Adults |
Students |
Committee Members |
Activity |
| 29 |
8 |
3 |
Bingo Party at DeForest Senior/Community Center |
| 80 |
27 |
8 |
Saturday Breakfast for Older Adults |
| 1,061 |
Grades K-12 |
n/a |
Elementary and Middle School Grandparents Lunches
HS hosts a reception for Older Adults in lieu of lunch |
| 15 |
250 |
n/a |
DAMS Biography Project (7th grade English/Language Arts classes) |
| 10 |
5 |
2 |
NHS Winterfest Bingo |
| HS students & parents |
726 |
2 |
Annual Halloween Trick or Treat at the High School - LINK-ages sponsored "door" |
| 16 |
22 |
n/a |
Computer Buddies class (EPES) |
| 60 |
approx. 8-10 |
n/a |
Play Previews (fall and spring) |
| 1,132 attendees at four concerts |
LINK-ages sponsored Concert in the Park |
ntergenerational activities build assets externally and internally for children and older adults. Children receive support from non-parent adults; perceive that community adults value youth; feel safe in home, school, and neighborhood; have adult, positive behavior models; and are motivated to do well in school. Older adults receive companionship, assistance at home or at community centers, a fresh outlook on life, and an increase in self-esteem.
Thank you to our RSVP partners! Visit them on the web: http://www.rsvpdane.org/
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